Medical Bills and Debt Collection

It is not unusual for someone to come to see us because their bills are not being paid. The collision happened and all they wanted was to get better, make sure they don't miss a lot of work , and to have the bills covered. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters drag their feet, the claims aren't processed properly, and the very nice insurance person really never was on their side.

The person comes in on the edge of bankruptcy or very concerned about their credit. Guess what? There never should have been a problem to begin with. Minnesota no fault law is there for all reasonable, necessary, and related bills. If you have car insurance, you have the coverage. We get involved and in a short while, the right coverages are covering the bills.

This is an example of why meeting early with a lawyer can make a big difference. You can find out about all of your coverages and make sure that your claims are handled correctly. Also, you are getting real legal advice from an lawyer and not illegal pretend advice from a adjuster playing lawyer.

A recent case brought by Lori Swanson, and the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, points out that there can be even bigger issues than just the insurance companies. Apparently, hospitals and other medical providers are using debt collectors at the point people come in to get care.

The New York Times reported that :

Hospital patients waiting in an emergency room or convalescing after surgery are being confronted by an unexpected visitor: a debt collector at bedside.

This and other aggressive tactics by one of the nation’s largest collectors of medical debts, Accretive Health, were revealed on Tuesday by the Minnesota attorney general, raising concerns that such practices have become common at hospitals across the country.

The tactics, like embedding debt collectors as employees in emergency rooms and demanding that patients pay before receiving treatment, were outlined in hundreds of company documents released by the attorney general. And they cast a spotlight on the increasingly desperate strategies among hospitals to recoup payments as their unpaid debts mount

As if the newly injured person doesn't have enough problems. The medical providers can now be as adverse to your interest as the insurance company. This is also where a skilled hospital bill collector can grab all of the medical coverage from no fault, before other bills that health insurance won't cover.

All of these tactics are most effective against those people who are hardworking, concerned about their credit, and doing the right thing. Make sure you get the right advice and know all of your options.

Other items from here at the Injuryboard:

Most Bankruptcies Caused by Medical Bills of Americans with Health Insurance, Camryn Hansen | June 08, 2009 8:26 PM

Most Bankruptcies Caused By Medical Bills, Jason Knowles | July 30, 2009 1:04 PM